Thanks for the suggestions and comments everybody. I'll make some crop renders at GI: 3/3 to see how it looks.

@ Oshyan: I haven't renderd it in the EXR format yet, just the BMP. I plan on doing some EXR testing in the near future to see if I can do anything with the shadows...although I kinda like them being dark and mysterious-ish.

Because I'm crazy...and not going to be using my computer for a good amount of time, I'm forgoing making some crop renders for you guys and going with a full render w/ high settings: .8 detail, AA 6, GI 3/3 to get an idea of what the whole thing will look like. Should be ready in about 12-14 hours.

Boom! 15 hour render. The high GI settings really make the road look nice. I think I went a little overboard with the dead grass and leaves along the sides of the road. I plan on adding some dirt/dust to the road surface as well as maybe a skid mark or two to git it a sense of being worn and used.

I think one word may suffice: wow! The yellow center line is perhaps a bit too dull/patchy though? Also, this may be specific to the US or California even, but white lines on the edge of the road? Would help highlight the stuff at the edges of the road if there were worn white lines being partly covered up.

Thanks! Oshyan, I do have white lines along the side of the road, the grass is just too thick to the point where the lines are almost totally obscured. I think it's weird that the center lines are looking patchy since there is nothing on top of them, I'll have to look into it.

Ah, interesting about the white lines. Then I guess I agree with you that the stuff on the edges of the road is a bit too thick. As for the center line, it looks like the road surface might just be rough enough to be breaking up the center line color a lot. I rather like the way the road looks as-is, so I wouldn't necessarily suggest adjusting its roughness too much, but you could try a bit perhaps...